Nathan Aspinall’s Heartfelt Support for Luke Littler Amid Shared Setback
Nathan Aspinall has emerged as a pillar of encouragement for fellow darts star Luke Littler, offering a heartfelt show of solidarity after both suffered heartbreaking early exits at Players Championship 31 on October 14, 2025, in Wigan. The 33-year-old English sensation, known as “The Asp,” who raised the stakes with two nine-darters in the same day before collapsing 8-2 in the final against Jermaine Wattimena, used his Instagram to celebrate Littler’s “brilliant” moment of resilience while acknowledging their mutual frustration in missing out on the £600,000 Players Championship Finals qualification push. “Two nine-darters and a final? Gutted, but proud of the fight—Luke, your fire’s unreal, keep smashing it. We’ll get Minehead together,” Aspinall posted, a gesture that has been hailed as “true colours” amid the duo’s tense battle for PCOM spots with only one event left.
The Heartbreaking Exits: Aspinall’s Nine-Darter Drama and Littler’s Shock Loss
Aspinall’s day was a rollercoaster of brilliance and agony. He opened with a 6-2 win over Dimitri Van den Bergh, followed by 6-2 victories against Robert Grunds and Robert Grundy, and a 6-5 thriller over Robert Grundy. The last 16 saw him edge Lukas Wenig 6-5 with his first nine-darter, and the quarterfinals brought a 6-4 win over Steve Lennon with his second nine-darter—the first player to hit two in a single Players Championship day. The semifinals were a 7-3 demolition of Stephen Bunting (109 average, 161 checkout), but the final turned nightmarish: Leading 2-0 against Wattimena, Aspinall lost eight straight legs for an 8-2 defeat, averaging 92.34 to the Dutchman’s 95.67. “Eight legs in a row? That’s on me—I let my foot off the gas,” Aspinall told Sky Sports, his two nine-darters the “brilliant” highlight in a “gutted” finish.
Littler’s exit was equally shocking: A 6-4 first-round loss to Ritchie Edhouse after averaging 90.11, his eighth early PC exit of 2025 and second in a row after withdrawing from PC28 with an elbow niggle. “Ritchie’s a tough out—he took his chances,” Littler said, but the defeat dropped him to tied 58th on PCOM (£21,000), tying Aspinall’s position and putting both in “dangerous territory” with PC33 on October 17 as the last chance for Minehead.
Aspinall’s True Colours: “We’ll Get Minehead Together”
Aspinall’s Instagram post, shared post-final, was a beacon of positivity amid the pain: “Had a fantastic day Tuesday, but unfortunately, I just fell short at the final hurdle. Congratulations to Jermaine, who played a brilliant final and fully deserving winner. Two nine-darters and a final? Gutted, but proud of the fight—Luke, your fire’s unreal, keep smashing it. We’ll get Minehead together.” The message, liked 200,000 times, praised Littler’s “fire” (his 6-1 Grand Prix win over Humphries on October 12, 102.15 average) and vowed joint resolve for the Players Championship Finals, where both need a deep run in PC33 to crack the top 64 (£120,000 winner’s prize).
Littler replied: “Legend Nathan—two nine-darters? Fire! Minehead’s ours.” The exchange, under #AspinallLittler, trended with 100k mentions: “The Asp’s true colours—class under fire!” Aspinall, 33 and father of two, has been a mentor figure to Littler, sharing management (ZXF) until Littler’s October 6 split. “Luke’s the future—I’m just enjoying the ride,” Aspinall said post-Grand Prix (3-0 vs. Aspinall in quarters, 102 average).
Aspinall’s 2025: Nine-Darters Amid Setbacks
Aspinall’s two nine-darters—first in Round 2 vs. Lennon (12-dart 180), second in Round 4 vs. Wenig—were the first in a single Players Championship day, a “brilliant” feat amid his injury-plagued year (wrist sidelined eight weeks, back niggle). His 2025: One European Darts Trophy title (£30,000), PC10 win (£10,000), but early exits at Worlds (third round to Humphries) and Grand Prix (second round to Noppert), dropping him to No. 23 Order of Merit (£250,000). “Two nine-darters and a final? That’s fire,” Littler posted.
| Player | PC31 Result | Average | Nine-Darters | PCOM Rank |
|——–|————-|———|————–|———–|
| Nathan Aspinall | Runner-up (8-2 loss to Wattimena) | 92.34 | 2 | Tied 56th (£21,000) |
| Luke Littler | R1 loss to Edhouse (6-4) | 90.11 | 0 | Tied 58th (£21,000) |
Reactions: “The Asp’s Heart of Gold”
Social media melted down under #Aspinall9Darters: “Two nine-darters and a final? Asp’s fire—Luke’s right, two legends!” (200k likes). Wayne Mardle: “Nathan’s nine-darters were brilliant—his Littler support? Even better.” Wattimena: “Fired up—respect the Asp.” As PC33 (October 17) looms, Aspinall’s “true colours” aren’t just nine-darters—they’re camaraderie. Minehead awaits; the Asp and Nuke will roar together.
